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Curlew Lake Report
Ferry County, WA

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Details

02/23/2019
16° - 20°
Ice Fishing
Perch
Maggots
Cloudy
13"
Jig
All Day
Under 40°
02/24/2019
4
6054

We left Spokane at 5:00am, the pass was snow packed but generally in really good shape, the sand trucks were out in force.

We arrived at the resort by 7:30, we tried to check-in at the store/office to let anyone know we were there. We drove around the loop once to see where we could get access to the ice, and found a trail at the launch. A grumpy old guy I know was there earlier in the week talked to the owner and had some luck. As we unpacked our shanties and made our way to the launch, we were sort of greeted by someone in his bathrobe "Your'e on private property!" (not the kind of greeting we usually get at other "resorts" but it's his sandbox) I apologized to the guy, and explained that we had tried to check in, that our friend was there a few days ago, had some luck fishing, and he was told by the owner "that parking was free, just DON'T PISS ON THE ICE! The neighbors are watching with binoculars, and we'll shut it down if people do." He said yeah, well it's now $20.00 to park, or you can park outside the fence and walk in on the county rail trail. My fishing buddy tells him "That price is ridiculous, we'll park outside and walk in" so we did.

It was 14 degrees when we got on the ice. The ice is a solid 12-13" thick, with the bottom 10" being solid clear ice. The weather was partly to mostly cloudy all day, and warmed clear up to about 24 degrees by mid afternoon. The fishing was good and we had consistent bites throughout the day. We moved around until we found some perch in 50-60 FOW and set up our shanties, the perch were hanging 4' off the bottom, and color didn't seem to matter, maggots and meal worms worked the best. All-in-all we had a good day, we packed up and got off the ice by 4:00 pm.


Comments

Ruffneck18
2/24/2019 9:41:23 PM
Thanks for the heads up, hoping to get up there Tuesday
AJ's Dad
2/25/2019 6:50:32 AM
Looks like the perch must have moved to the north end of the lake. The packernut and I fished near the state park and only managed 4 nice perch for the whole day. We also go 9 trout, some of them up to about 15-16". Not a terrible day but we certainly didn't get the bucket of perch we went for. we fished in 33 feet of water and caught fish from about 10 feet down to on the bottom
ridgeratt
2/25/2019 7:46:14 AM
I fished it last Monday. While I did arrive later in the morning which allowed him to get out of his jammies. When I asked about where to park I was told a location on the property. There was enough room for 2 vehicles. I drove around the grounds looking for perhaps more parking. It appears that during these winter months they are only renting the more luxurious cabins. They were partially ploughed out and had cars parked at them with ice gear in the backs. I ended back at the store and then unloaded my apartment and waddled off onto the ice. There were a couple of other gentlemen who I watched go out just before me so I got close to the folks fishing. They said that when they got there some folks were leaving with 5 gallon buckets full.


It was a beautiful day clear and brisk. I'd guess in the low teens. I didn't light the place on fire but did manage to catch enough for dinner and to share with friends. The ever popular " Eye ball of perch" produced the best.


And for the record I was on my best behavior. The 2 fellas I fished next to didn't think I was Grumpy!!!
E-10
2/25/2019 1:56:00 PM
I called the “resort” Friday and left a message to see about renting a cabin for that night, but didn’t get a call back. I’m interested to find out what their winter cabin rates are. Still haven’t heard anything. And then to get up there and find out they’ve changed from free parking to 20.00 per day was a shocker. You can get event parking downtown Spokane for less than that. I think the owner has every right to charge what he wants, he deserves to make his money back. But he only has room to park maybe 4 rigs the way it is now. And at $20 a pop, not many are willing to pay that, so he made nothing that day. If he plowed the area that’s RV camping and charged $5-$8 a day and had a cash drop box and some envelopes he could get 10-20 rigs in there consistently. He’d probably get people who use the state launch area to patronize Tiffanys.
sackass
2/26/2019 4:25:14 PM
We fished there Saturday. Had good luck. Found the perch and never had to move. We talked to the owner of Tiffany's. He said that he had been charging for parking because of all the trash and human waste he had to clean up along with fish guts and other issues. So as it goes with most things these days the inconsiderate jack asses ruined it for others. I feel for him. You could tell he felt bad but even at $20 he felt the hassle and clean up was simply not worth it. I don't blame him. I blame the people that don't respect others property. Sad state of society.
E-10
2/27/2019 6:14:57 PM
At Sackass, you must have been the group with the hub, because there were no others on that end of the lake that day. I find it disgusting when "some people" trash an area, and I have packed out my share of garbage left behind by others more times than I can count. I saw no traces of human waste, #1 or #2, and all my buddy heard about from the owner for the $20 charge was some trash. I did see a couple fish skeletons on the ice, but lets face it, those get changed back to nutrients pretty quick through scavengers or returning to the water. You see plenty of them in all the lakes, and the fish cleaning stations on Roosevelt with the giant parts grinders discharges right back in the lake.

As for not respecting others property, I did not see or hear of any vandalism or disrespect at Tiffany's.
snohawk
2/25/2019 2:41:13 PM
This looks awesome, but I so look forward to spring and summer lol.
buc
2/25/2019 3:52:51 PM
parking, locals only i was told. not sure about the Bino's - they would need photos and identify my tool. my bad...
ridgeratt
2/25/2019 5:44:36 PM
Buc : Did they give you a definition of Local? Perhaps a driving distance from the resort? I hail from Orient and there are folks who have been there less time than I who call themselves Local. I reference my self as a commuter.
buc
2/25/2019 9:23:50 PM
Guy told me local parking only, well I said local is where your at, whats that he replied, I said wheres my cheese whizz' boy ... he went back inside, I went fishing. No I'm not what you would call local...
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Available Guide

Available Fishing Guide:
Website: Darrell & Dads Family Guide Service

Phone: (509) 687-0709